Renew Our Rivers

Renew Our Rivers is a volunteer program that removes debris from rivers and other waterways throughout the Southeast. Started by an employee in 1999 as a local cleanup of the Coosa River around Alabama Power’s Gadsden Steam Plant, the program has grown to include a year-round schedule of cleanups for the entire Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Black Warrior river systems in Alabama, the upper Coosa in Georgia, and other waterways in watersheds in Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida.

On April 17, 2009, Southern Company employees, with local community members, surpassed 10 million pounds of trash removed or recycled in Renew Our Rivers events. Winner of many prestigious awards, the program received the 2007 Outstanding Stewards of America’s Waters award from the National Hydropower Association, the highest award in the hydropower industry.

Fact Sheet (PDF 294KB)

Although Renew Our Rivers has more scheduled clean ups and participants than ever, less debris is being removed. That can only mean one thing; rivers we've visited in the past are cleaner.

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Five Star Restoration

Five Star Restoration provides grants and technical support for community-based education and outreach projects in riparian (land-bordering waterways), coastal, or wetland areas. Southern Company is the Southern region lead corporate sponsor.

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs in biodiversity. Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. In addition to providing habitat for reptiles, fish, waterfowl, mammals, plants, and more, wetlands absorb excess nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes, and other water bodies.

When rivers overflow, wetlands help to absorb and slow floodwaters, which can alleviate property damage and loss, and can even save lives. They are great spots for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and bird-watching, and they make wonderful outdoor classrooms for people of all ages.

Current Five Star partners include the Environmental Protection Agency, National Association of Counties, and Wildlife Habitat Council. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation administers this program. Southern Company committed $1.2 million in matching funds over five years (through 2010) for projects in our region that foster natural resource stewardship.

Organizations receiving grants under the program must then match the grant, thus resulting in at least a $400,000 impact each year. Additionally, $40,000/year will support the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's management of this program.

Fact Sheet | How to apply

Elements of a Five Star Project

• On-the-Ground Restoration - Projects must include on-the-ground wetland, riparian, in-stream, or coastal habitat restoration.
• Environmental Education - Projects must integrate meaningful education into the restoration project either through community participation or integration with K-12 environmental curriculum.
• Partnerships - Projects must involve a diverse set of community partners to accomplish the project objectives.
• Measurable Results - Projects must result in measurable ecological, educational, or social benefits.

Accomplishments

• 33 grants to 23 organizations with dozens of partner groups
• Grants totaling more than $621,000, along with matching funds, will have a total on-the-ground impact of more than $1.89 million
• Approximately 10,200 wetland and coastal acres and 45,870 feet of riparian buffers will be restored*

*Figures are approximate. Includes completed and anticipated results, estimated for funded projects through 2008.

Grant recipients: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006